The Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) is a Knowledge Community of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). We are a large and active group of over 10,000 architects and allied professionals concerned with the quality and design of all types of educational, cultural, and recreational facilities that promote lifelong learning in safe, welcoming and equitable environments. The CAE’s mission is to foster innovative and collaborative design of educational facilities and to heighten public awareness on the importance of learning environments.
Raymond Beeler, AIA, founder and director of an AIA volunteer High School Architecture program at a school in the Bronx, NY, presented on creating the program, sharing positive outcomes, and how other Chapters can start a program of their own. Raymond’s mission is to introduce minority kids to the profession of Architecture and encourage / mentor them towards fulfilling careers as Architects. As Michelle Obama said in Orlando when asked about increasing our professions diversity “you can’t be an architect if you don’t know architects exist, and you don’t have to be the first lady to influence.” His group has created a template documenting the program’s recently completed 2016-2017 school year with the hope that it can be used by other chapters across the country to start similar programs. The cost of running programs like this can be minimal but requires a group of dedicated volunteer architects who want to make a difference.